The Role of Business in Ready by 21 September 24, 2008 Ready by 21 Webinar Series

© The Forum for Youth Investment 2008 Agenda Welcome and Introductions Karen Pittman, Executive Director, Forum for Youth Investment The Business Community Perspective What are the Problems Facing the Business Community Relative to Workforce Readiness and Disconnected Youth? Overview of Corporate Voices for Working Families Workforce Readiness Leadership Work Donna Klein, President and Founder, Corporate Voices for Working Families Marriott’s Engagement with Youth Issues Review of Marriott’s Work and Activities Involving Disconnected Youth and Workforce Readiness Discussion of the Role of Business in Supporting Ready by 21 Andy Chaves, Senior Corporate Manager, Human Services, Marriott, International Corporate Voices Workforce Readiness Principles Review of Corporate Voices Principles Discussion of Recommendations for Business Action Elyse Rosenblum, Vice President of Workforce Readiness, Corporate Voices for Working Families Wrap up and Discussion Karen Pittman, Executive Director, Forum for Youth Investment

© The Forum for Youth Investment 2008 The Forum for Youth Investment The Forum for Youth Investment is a non-profit, nonpartisan “action tank” dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are ready for college, work and life. Equally respected by business, non-profit and government leaders, the Forum creates bold ideas, strategies and partnerships that to strengthen solutions for young people and those who care about them. Ready by 21® is our boldest idea.

© The Forum for Youth Investment 2008 Change the odds for youth Change the landscape of communities Change the way we do business The Ready by 21 Challenge: Changing the Odds for Youth by Changing the Way We Do Business Moving the small gear makes a big difference

© The Forum for Youth Investment % are doing well in two life areas and okay in one Productivity: Attend college, work steadily Health: Good health, positive health habits, healthy relationships Connectedness: Volunteer, politically active, active in religious institutions, active in community Too Few Young People are Ready Doing Well 43% Doing Poorly 22% In the Middle 35% 22% are doing poorly in two life areas and not well in any Productivity: High school diploma or less, are unemployed, on welfare Health: Poor health, bad health habits, unsupportive relationships Connectedness: Commit illegal activity once a month Researchers Gambone, Connell & Klem (2002) estimate that only 4 in 10 are doing well in their early 20s.

© The Forum for Youth Investment 2008 Who’s Responsible ?

© The Forum for Youth Investment 2008 The Forum’s Ready by 21 National Partners American Association of School Administrators America’s Promise Alliance Corporate Voices for Working Families National Collaboration for Youth National Conference of State Legislatures Search Institute United Way of America (signature partner)

The Business Community Perspective Donna Klein, President and Founder, Corporate Voices for Working Families

9 Corporate Voices Overview Corporate Voices is the leading national business membership organization representing the private sector voice in the dialogue on public policy issues involving working families. We aim to improve the lives of all working families and the competitiveness of American business.

Key Problems Jobs are changing Demographics are changing New entrants to workforce are under prepared High dropout rates

Corporate Voices Workforce Readiness Promising Practices in Businesses Policy Principles Tax Policy Research Cost of Training Social Cost Demonstration Projects Are They Really Ready To Work? 2006 Business Leadership Employer Guidelines New Options Initiative

Overall Preparation of New Entrants to the Workforce

Are They Really Ready to Work? Top 5 Required Skills Professionalism Oral Communication Written Communication Teamwork Critical Thinking

Marriott’s Engagement with Youth Issues Andy Chaves, Senior Corporate Manager, Human Services, Marriott, International

Marriott’s Youth Strategy Surrounded by Success  Position Marriott as an employer of choice with opportunities for the diverse youth population that will soon become the workforce and leadership pool of talent.  Develop partnerships that will enable us to introduce students, school administrators, and parents to the hospitality industry  Shape the hospitality curriculum and education policy that the government, industry associations, and academia will use to introduce the next generation of associates.  Manage government relations at the federal level and act as a resource for Marriott business units for local and state initiatives

Mr. Marriott poses with local students

Why Get Involved?  70+ million youth entering workforce over next 15 years (Gen Y and beyond)  Today’s Students are tomorrow’s leaders  Spirit To Serve Our Communities  Great leadership skill and relationship building opportunity for our managers  Drive development of minority students to increase our management pipeline Success in school directly affects labor productivity. Students who work an average of <20 hours a week through school-sponsored development programs will have greater success in workplace (less turnover, better adjustment to workplace) and life.

Youth Career Development Programs  Purpose:  Work Experiences lead to skill development  Scholarships help students whose potential is greater then their means  Many of our hotels are sponsoring schools  Application:  Take Your Children To Work Day  Groundhog Job Shadow Day  Property Tours and Guest Speaking  Curriculum Development  National Educational Partnerships – DECA, NAF, NULITES, LIDERES, JA

How businesses can get involved  Encourage volunteerism  Serve as advisory board member of a local program  Property tours and guest speaking  Career mentoring  Become an advocate for education reform  Philanthropic – provide financial support for K-16 arena  Provide paid work experiences for high school students

Marriott Initiatives In Our Global Communities, “Spirit to Serve” Supports: S helter and Food E nvironment R eadiness for Hotel Careers V itality of Children E mbracing Diversity & People with Disabilities We help provide food and shelter to people in need; work towards a healthier planet; prepare people for future careers especially in hospitality management; aid sick and impoverished children; and support diversity and people with disabilities, especially through the workplace.

Marriott Initiatives Readiness for Hotel Careers …educating and training the next generation  National Academy Foundation  Nine-year partnership  Academy of Hospitality & Tourism  Distributive Education Clubs of America  Since 1982, "25 Years of Service Award" in 2006  About 400 DECA students hired each year for seasonal and part-time positions  Girl Scouts (New)  Career program introduces diverse pre-teen girls to professional careers in hospitality in D.C.  Program can be used for Take Your Children to Work Day and Ground Hog Job Shadow Day

Marriott Initiatives Embracing Diversity & Disabilities...providing opportunities, especially through the workplace  Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities – “Bridges … from School to Work”  18-year commitment  Since 1989, 10,000 young people placed in mainstream employment with 1,500 employers including Marriott  Funded by government grants, Marriott family foundation, and funds raised by Marriott & its business partners  Marriott Scholars Program  Hispanic College Fund and United Negro College Fund  $500,000 per year in scholarships

Corporate Voices Workforce Readiness Principles Elyse Rosenblum, Vice President of Workforce Readiness, Corporate Voices for Working Families

Corporate Voices Workforce Readiness Principles We must create a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated system of learning and development that provides a range of opportunities for youth to succeed through school and into their working lives.

Corporate Voices Workforce Readiness Principles Youth Learning Providers Infrastructure Accountability Alignment Partnership

Recommendations for Business Action Create a Coordinated Workforce Readiness Strategy Track Workforce Readiness Training Investments Focus Special Attention on Creating Alternative Pathways for Disconnected Youth Increase Effective Collaboration Across Sectors Increase Leadership in the Public Policy Arena

Strengthening America’s Economic Competitiveness Public Policy Strategies to Improve Workforce Readiness: Expand Learning Opportunities Create Alternate Pathways for Disconnected Youth Support Community Colleges and Lifelong Learning

Wrap-Up and Discussion Karen Pittman, Executive Director, Forum for Youth Investment

© The Forum for Youth Investment 2008 We Know What it Takes to Support Development The National Research Council reports that teens need: Physical and Psychological Safety Appropriate Structure Supportive Relationships Opportunities to Belong Positive Social Norms Support for Efficacy and Mattering Opportunities for Skill-Building Integration of Family, School and Community efforts

© The Forum for Youth Investment 2008 from 4 in 10 doing well to 7 in 10 doing well Providing These Supports CAN Change the Odds Gambone/Connell’s research suggests that if all young people got the supports they needed in early adolescence, the picture could change…

© The Forum for Youth Investment 2008 Our Theory of Change Educators. Businesses. Public Service Agencies. Community Providers. Public Officials. Funders. Advocates. Faith Institutions. Community Catalysts. Families. Young People Moving the small gear makes a big difference.

© The Forum for Youth Investment 2008 Questions?

© The Forum for Youth Investment 2008 Upcoming Ready by 21 Webinars Please visit for updates to these listings. Introduction to the Ready by 21 Challenge October 28, 2008, 2:00-3:00 PM EST The Role of Educators in Ready by 21 (PROPOSED) November 18, 2008, 1:00-2:00 PM EST Big Picture Messages and Frameworks December 10, 2008, 2:00-3:00 PM EST The Role of Government in Ready by 21 (PROPOSED) January 14, :00-2:00 PM EST